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Geopolitical and Philosophical Echoes in Attack on Titan
Hajime Isayama's masterpiece, Attack on Titan, transcends a simple fantasy adventure to become a profound commentary on the human condition. This report analyzes Attack on Titan not as a work of entertainment, but as a complex allegorical text that metaphorically addresses real-world issues of historical trauma, ethnic conflict, propaganda, and human nature. Through the psychological struggles and ideological clashes of its protagonists, the series delves into core themes such as the cycle of hatred, the paradox of freedom, and the inherent moral ambiguity of conflict. By exploring how the story's fantastical elements directly mirror real-world geopolitical and philosophical struggles, this report aims to provide a multi-layered analysis that goes beyond a mere plot summary.
This section deconstructs the story's setting and political systems to show how they serve as a chilling allegory for historical and modern mechanisms of control and conflict.
2.1. The Walls: False Security and Suppressed Reality
The Walls of Paradis Island are the most fundamental symbol in Attack on Titan. Initially presented as the last bastion of humanity, they are soon revealed to be a tool used by the Eldian Royal Government to control and isolate its citizens.1 The government erases the memories of the inhabitants within the Walls to keep them ignorant of the outside world, suppresses dissent, and deliberately slows down technological progress. These measures create a "false sense of freedom," keeping the population in a state of ignorance and compliance.2 The fear of "the other" (in this case, the Titans) is used to unite the populace and distract them from internal grievances or the government's incompetence.2 This dynamic illustrates how a common enemy can be used as a tool for social control. Ultimately, the inhabitants of Paradis are faced with the ironic truth that to gain true freedom, they must tear down the very Walls they believed were protecting them.6 The Walls are not just physical barriers; they are a metaphor for intellectual and political imprisonment. This forces readers to question their own understanding of "security" and "knowledge," forming one of the story's most profound political commentaries.
2.2. Marley's Blueprint for Genocide
This subsection provides a detailed analysis of the Marleyan government's systematic process of dehumanizing and oppressing the Eldians. The series draws direct parallels to real-world genocidal events. The following table shows how the narrative of Attack on Titan reflects Gregory Stanton's ten-stage framework for genocide.7
Stage Stanton's Description Example in Attack on Titan Classification Creates a hierarchical structure that divides society into "us" and "them." Eldians are classified by their "Titan blood" and branded as the descendants of an ancient evil.7 Symbolization Uses symbols to identify and brand a specific group. Eldians living in Marley are forced to wear armbands, similar to the yellow stars used for Jews during the Holocaust.7 Discrimination Deprives a specific group of legal rights and makes them non-citizens. Eldians are stripped of political power, confined to ghettos, and treated as property of the Marleyan state.7 Dehumanization Portrays a specific group as "devils" or "monsters" to make them seem less than human. Eldians are repeatedly called "devils," and the myth that they can transform into Titans is used as a political tool to justify fear.7 Organization Forms national or paramilitary organizations to carry out genocide. The Marleyan government organizes the "Warrior" program, training Eldian children as living weapons.7 Polarization Eliminates moderates and intensifies conflict between groups. Eldians who sympathize with Marley are punished by being turned into Titans or are forced into silence.7 Preparation Justifies genocide through propaganda and incitement. The Tybur family creates a manipulated history that blames Eldians for ancient sins to justify Marley's atrocities.7 Persecution Begins isolation and inhumane treatment, leading to death and forced labor camps. Eldians are used as experimental subjects, and children are taken from their families. Their internment zones are effectively death camps.7 Extermination Carries out the final stage of mass killing. The "Rumbling" initiated by Eren Yeager is a global genocide aimed at the annihilation of "the other".7 Denial After the events, the perpetrators deny their crimes. The surviving factions argue over who was right and who suffered more, reflecting the reality of genocide denial today.7
This table shows how Marley's policies accurately and chillingly reflect real-world historical atrocities. Marleyan society is unified through hatred and prejudice, uses fear as a tool for propaganda, and dehumanizes Eldians through the "devil" myth.7
2.3. A Familiar History: Echoes of the 20th Century
Attack on Titan draws heavy inspiration from German history and the aesthetics of World War I and II.4 The Marleyan military uniforms and the Eldian armbands are clear visual allusions to the Nazi regime and the Holocaust.4 Throughout the story, Marley constantly indoctrinates its people with propaganda that blames Eldians for all their problems, a direct reflection of Nazi propaganda that blamed the Jewish people.4 These historical parallels are more than a simple narrative device. Characters like Reiner and Gabi are raised in a system of dehumanization and hatred, taught to despise their own people.9 They represent the cycle of being both a victim and a perpetrator. This narrative turn forces the audience to confront their own preconceived notions and the "hero/villain" dichotomy.7 The story not only reflects history but also serves as a warning about how ideology, fear, and distorted patriotism can turn good people into instruments of oppression. It is a sober reflection on the human capacity for complicity.
This section shifts focus from the geopolitical systems to the internal philosophical conflicts of the characters. It explores the central question of free will versus determinism, represented by Eren and Armin.
3.1. Eren Yeager: A Slave to Freedom
Eren's journey is a paradox in itself. He is a character driven by an unwavering obsession with freedom.12 His surname, "Jaeger," which means "hunter" in German, perfectly embodies his desire to hunt down and destroy anything that threatens his freedom.9 However, this pursuit of freedom leads to his most extreme and destructive actions.7 His "freedom" is not a positive, creative force, but a negative desire to be free from interference and a world that does not align with his pure, idealized childhood vision.15 The core of his fatalism lies in the power of the Attack Titan, which allows him to see the past, present, and future.13 He becomes a "slave to freedom," trapped by his own precognitive abilities, knowing that terrible events are coming but unable to change them.16 Eren's story can be seen not as a pursuit of freedom, but an act of rejecting reality. He is profoundly disappointed when he discovers the outside world is not the beautiful, empty expanse described in Armin's book, but is instead filled with more enemies.15 This disappointment shatters his idealistic vision. His ultimate goal of genocide is a desperate, nihilistic attempt to destroy a reality that failed to live up to his expectations. He would rather annihilate a flawed world than accept it.
3.2. Armin Arlert: The Existentialist's Hope
Armin's philosophy is a direct refutation of Eren's. While Eren is trapped by an abstract and violent notion of freedom, Armin moves toward a more constructive, existentialist view. He seeks to find meaning in the moments of life and to see the beauty in the world.12 Armin's hope lies in communication and dialogue. He believes that even in the face of overwhelming hatred, it is possible to overcome division and build bridges.9 His character and his ultimate role as a diplomat represent the story's counter-argument to violence and fatalism. The series presents a core debate between nihilism and existentialism. Eren's fatalistic "slave to freedom" narrative is a form of nihilism: the belief that because there is no objective meaning, his destructive path is just as valid as any other. In contrast, Armin embodies existentialism, which, while acknowledging the absence of inherent meaning in the world, chooses to create his own meaning by valuing connection, understanding, and beauty.9 The philosophical battle between them is how the story asks the audience to choose which path is more humane and ultimately more sustainable.
3.3. The Moral Abyss: The Yeagerists vs. The Alliance
This subsection analyzes the internal conflict on Paradis Island, which mirrors real-world civil wars and ideological clashes. The Yeagerists, led by Floch Forster, represent a populist, nationalist movement that prioritizes survival above all else.3 In contrast, the Alliance—composed of Eren's friends and former enemies—takes a utilitarian stance, believing that saving 80% of the world is a morally superior option to the Yeagerists' genocidal plan.7 The story concludes that "there is no right side".19 It achieves this effect by "fully justifying" the motivations of both sides within the story's framework.3 The Yeagerists are not simply villains; they are survivors who refuse to be treated like "cattle" and have a rational, albeit terrible, reason for their actions.3 The Alliance, despite its noble intentions, has no concrete plan to save Paradis, making their position appear naive to the people they seek to protect.19 This forces the audience to confront the reality that in war, a "good" choice often does not exist.
This section explores the story's central symbolism, arguing that the Titans and other recurring motifs are not just plot devices but powerful, physical metaphors for human nature and conflict.
4.1. The Titans as a Physical Metaphor
Initially, the Titans are presented as a senseless external evil.23 However, the story inverts this perception by revealing that the Titans are actually Eldians who have been transformed against their will.1 The Titans become a metaphor for humanity's most destructive aspects: blind consumption, an insatiable desire for power, and the willingness to sacrifice others for one's own survival.24 The Titans serve as a mirror reflecting humanity's "inner monster." The greatest threat to humanity is not an external beast, but humanity itself—our capacity for cruelty, blind obedience, and self-destruction.5 The series' ultimate message is that we are our own worst enemy, a point powerfully reinforced by the fact that the Titans are literally us.
4.2. The Nine Titans: A Curse of Power
The powers of the Nine Titans and the fates of their wielders symbolize specific human traits and moral dilemmas. The following table summarizes each Titan's name, its symbolic meaning, and the characteristics it brings to its wielder.
Titan's Name Symbolic Trait Characteristic in the Wielder Founding Titan Control, the curse of subservience Despite immense power, wielders like Uri and Frieda sacrifice their lives to serve others, mimicking the original Ymir.26 Beast Titan Bestiality, the curse of self-loathing The Beast Titan symbolizes Ymir's monstrous, primal force. Its wielder, Zeke, betrays his parents, which is depicted as similar to how everyone pointed fingers at Ymir.26 Colossal Titan Size, the curse of meekness Expected to be the largest and strongest, its wielders often have the opposite personality. Both Bertholdt and Armin show a meek and passive nature.26 Female Titan Femininity, withdrawal The Female Titan has a "leadership" ability to call other Titans. However, its wielder, Annie, has a reclusive nature and avoids responsibility.26 Jaw Titan Agility, the curse of self-sacrifice Despite its immense speed and mobility, its wielders consistently sacrifice themselves for others.26 Cart Titan Stamina, resourcefulness This Titan reflects Ymir's industrious and constructive side. Its wielder, Pieck, can stay in Titan form for months.26 Armored Titan Defense Its wielders have a tendency to protect their inner selves. War Hammer Titan Creation Reflects Ymir's ability to create objects, but its wielders primarily use this power for destruction.26 Attack Titan Freedom, resistance This Titan embodies the wielder's will to resist fate and fight for freedom.27
This table shows how the Nine Titans delve deeply into the complex themes of the story. Each Titan's power is not just an ability, but a concept deeply rooted in human psychology and morality (e.g., self-loathing, withdrawal).
4.3. Scarf, Birds, and the Sea: Motifs of Confinement and Freedom
This subsection analyzes the powerful visual and narrative motifs that reinforce the story's core themes. The Sea and the Walls: The sea, in Armin's book, symbolized infinite freedom and a beautiful, unknown world.15 However, when Eren discovers that an entire humanity that hates him exists across the sea, it becomes a symbol of disappointment and a new form of confinement.17 Birds: Birds are the ultimate symbol of freedom throughout the story.6 When Eren believes he has gained freedom by crossing the sea, birds fly overhead. Yet, even after his ultimate failure and death, birds continue to fly. In the final scene, a bird wraps Mikasa's scarf around her, a visual representation of Eren's eternal bondage, and the ultimate irony that he could never achieve the state of freedom he so desperately craved.13 The Scarf: The scarf is a powerful motif in Mikasa and Eren's relationship.28 It is a symbol of love that saved Mikasa's life, but it also represents a form of emotional bondage. This bond becomes a source of pain and confinement that Mikasa cannot escape, even after Eren's death. The final scene, where a symbol of freedom (the bird) wraps a symbol of her unyielding loyalty (the scarf) around her, shows the ultimate complexity of their relationship. It symbolizes her liberation from Eren's tyranny while also signifying her eternal entanglement with his memory.
Attack on Titan serves as a powerful warning about the cycle of hatred and how it can corrupt even the most idealistic intentions. As this report has shown, the story is not a simple battle of good versus evil. Instead, it is a complex and uncomfortable exploration of the human condition. The story's political allegories, the ideological struggles of its characters, and its intricate symbolism all point to the same conclusion: the greatest threat to humanity is not an external monster, but the destructive nature that resides within ourselves. Eren's downfall is a case study in how a rational goal of survival and revenge can lead to an act of complete inhumanity. His nihilism is ultimately contrasted with Armin's existential hope, conveying the message that meaning in life must be created through struggle and connection. By presenting the uncomfortable reality that "there is no right side," the series challenges the audience to confront their own assumptions about war, violence, and moral judgment. Attack on Titan remains a timeless commentary on a world that is forever repeating the cycles of hatred, prejudice, and violence. The series' legacy lies in its ability to show us that the monster we should fear most is ourselves. 참고 자료 Attack on Titan - Wikipedia, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Titan The reason why the royal government allowed the creation of the maneuver gear - Reddit, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.reddit.com/r/ShingekiNoKyojin/comments/165pksv/the_reason_why_the_royal_government_allowed_the/ In Defense of the Yeagerists, Eren, and the Rumbling, Or How Their Actions Were Completely Justified Within the Confines of the Story : r/attackontitan - Reddit, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.reddit.com/r/attackontitan/comments/tesaey/in_defense_of_the_yeagerists_eren_and_the/ The True Themes of 'Attack on Titan' Are Finally Coming Into Focus - Observer, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://observer.com/2021/01/attack-on-titan-fascism/ [Manga Spoilers] Something I noticed about Attack on Titan and Humanity. - Reddit, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.reddit.com/r/ShingekiNoKyojin/comments/acwod3/manga_spoilers_something_i_noticed_about_attack/ Bird symbolism, ending theory : r/titanfolk - Reddit, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.reddit.com/r/titanfolk/comments/i7v77r/bird_symbolism_ending_theory/ When Fiction Becomes Warning: The Genocidal Blueprint of Attack ..., 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://medium.com/@sushilover69430/when-fiction-becomes-warning-the-genocidal-blueprint-of-attack-on-titan-613775a649e8 Political Representation In Animation : Attack On Titan As A Sample - Bibliomed, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.bibliomed.org/fulltextpdf.php?mno=103851 Attack on Titan, an endless cycle of hatred - Point'n Think, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.pointnthink.fr/en/attack-on-titan-an-endless-cycle-of-hatred/ Why is Attack on Titan German? - Quora, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Attack-on-Titan-German Why is Attack on Titan based from Germany's (Marleys) World War 1-2 especially with European Jews (Eldians) in WW2? - Quora, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Attack-on-Titan-based-from-Germanys-Marleys-World-War-1-2-especially-with-European-Jews-Eldians-in-WW2 The five central themes of AOT and how they tie to the ending : r ..., 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.reddit.com/r/ShingekiNoKyojin/comments/sgyib7/the_five_central_themes_of_aot_and_how_they_tie/ The Folklore of Attack on Titan: Eren, Freedom, and Birds | by The ..., 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://anime-ashoka.medium.com/the-folklore-of-attack-on-titan-eren-freedom-and-birds-3380972e1211 Eren Yeager (Character Analysis) - Hive, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://hive.blog/hive-158489/@intsiklover/eren-yeager-character-analysis WHAT IS EREN'S CONCEPT OF "FREEDOM"? : r/titanfolk - Reddit, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.reddit.com/r/titanfolk/comments/t0k26l/what_is_erens_concept_of_freedom/ Eren:“Armin, you said it just like I thought - I'm a slave to freedom.” This is what I am talking about,this is MY EREN : r/titanfolk - Reddit, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.reddit.com/r/titanfolk/comments/16gmori/erenarmin_you_said_it_just_like_i_thought_im_a/ What Do You Think Was Eren's True Goal? : r/ShingekiNoKyojin - Reddit, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.reddit.com/r/ShingekiNoKyojin/comments/18sh9h6/what_do_you_think_was_erens_true_goal/ What Was Eren's End Goal? It's So Confusing : r/ShingekiNoKyojin - Reddit, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.reddit.com/r/ShingekiNoKyojin/comments/1azpzzx/what_was_erens_end_goal_its_so_confusing/ Understanding the Yeagerists and their actions. : r/attackontitan - Reddit, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.reddit.com/r/attackontitan/comments/tdy5jp/understanding_the_yeagerists_and_their_actions/ Understanding the Yeagerists and their action. : r/ShingekiNoKyojin - Reddit, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.reddit.com/r/ShingekiNoKyojin/comments/tdyc1m/understanding_the_yeagerists_and_their_action/ Floch Forster: Devoting Your Heart and Becoming a Devil - Jonah's Books & Rants, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://jonahwrites.blog/2022/01/27/floch-forster-devoting-your-heart-and-becoming-a-devil/ Could someone explain to me the militaries issue with the yeagerists and their goal? : r/titanfolk - Reddit, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.reddit.com/r/titanfolk/comments/ma6z1j/could_someone_explain_to_me_the_militaries_issue/ Attack on Titan is a manga about power and freedom - Hypercritic, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, http://hypercritic.org/collection/hajime-isayama-attack-on-titan-is-a-manga-about-power-and-freedom-2009-review What do you think the titans represent metaphorically? : r/ShingekiNoKyojin - Reddit, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.reddit.com/r/ShingekiNoKyojin/comments/2z7ges/what_do_you_think_the_titans_represent/ Construction of Femininity in Hajime Isayama's Attack of Titan - ResearchGate, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/394436169_Construction_of_Femininity_in_Hajime_Isayama's_Attack_of_Titan The Nine and their meaning : r/ShingekiNoKyojin - Reddit, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.reddit.com/r/ShingekiNoKyojin/comments/kcx1sb/the_nine_and_their_meaning/ How Attack Titan Defies Oppression & Shapes Its Own Destiny - YouTube, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT_xLLRq0vY The Bird's Secret Meaning in Attack on Titan - YouTube, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Yve9oT_OE What is the meaning of the symbol on Eren Yeager's back in Shingeki no Kyojin/Attack on Titan? - Quora, 8월 25, 2025에 액세스, https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-meaning-of-the-symbol-on-Eren-Yeagers-back-in-Shingeki-no-Kyojin-Attack-on-Titan